A leopard was spotted early Thursday morning in Maruti Suzuki's plant in Manesar following which police and forest officials cordoned off the premises and launched a search for the wild cat, the police said.

The leopard was found roaming inside the 'Engine Department' at around 4 am by a security personnel on duty.

Thousands of workers, who arrived for the morning shift at around 7 am, have been asked to stand outside the plant due to safety reasons, a senior police officer said.

Private security personnel have also been asked to keep away from the plant, the officer said.

"Teams of forest department, police and wildlife have been called to catch the leopard. We have cordoned off the plant and a search operation is on to catch the animal. However, we are yet to trace it", the officer added.

In April this year, a leopard entered a house in Sohna in the district and left five persons injured.